Home

On Wednesday, May 27th, 2009, our sweet sister and her husband, Jackie Carroll, laid to rest their prematurely born infant child.
To my knowledge, she has not before now, known exactly how she was going to bear to part with this sweet child, who came to be known to us as her "beanie baby". The gender unknown for sure, this child was called to me by the proper name "Bambino", which, when translated, literally means, "little boy", or "little child". In art, it is used to refer to the the to the image of the infant Jesus in swaddling clothes.
The very fact that she has held on to this child for so long without knowing when and where she would give him a final resting place speaks volumes to me. It speaks of the sincerity in her heart and in her belief that all life is sacred. It speaks to me of her knowledge that life is given, and life is also taken away. The purposes and means of this is not always in our understanding,  so we trust in our instinct, in belief that there is a special place we can call "home".  This is Faith.

To this end, as the words fail to pass my lips, I am compelled to write this psalm, so that even though speech may elude me, my heart does not.  

Home
I've laid two souls to rest today and how reluctantly,
 for if I had another wish, they would still be here with me.
For into me the seeds of life had bloomed so vibrantly,
 this little life that glittered, like a star so brilliantly.
How seldom do we get this chance of opportunity,
 to have a child to call our own for all eternity.

And how the time has quickly come, to send him on his way,
 there are children there awaiting, where he can run, and play.

I know you loved your children, your grandchildren were your prize,
 so into your arms I've laid this one, while you close your eyes.
I cannot give a greater gift than this last child of mine,
 to take him home to Jesus, where he can truly shine.
I know he's not a burden, you loved your children so,
 so into your grasp I'm trusting, to heaven he will go.

Into your hands I've placed my child for all eternity,
 to take him home to Jesus, where he will wait for me.
Take and show our Father, the gift he gave to me,
 the seeds of life within me, how briefly that may be.
Tell him I will miss him but this is best you see,
 the little child that was once here, can now my angel be.  

And how the time has quickly come to send him on his way,
there are children there awaiting, where he can run, and play.

In loving memory of our
beanie baby Bambino, 'John'
and Ma Betty Carroll
© 2009 byronc

Children

Last night I held a lovely hand,
A hand so small and sweet,

I thought my heart would burst with joy,
So wildly did it beat.

No other hand unto my heart,
Could greater pleasure bring.

Than the dear one that I held last night--
To my baby's hand I cling.
- Author Unknown